Album Review: Echo & the Bunnymen - The Fountain
The Fountain is the 11th album by Echo & the Bunnymen in a career spanning 30 years. Reviving their landmark 1984 album Ocean Rain in a live tour last year and working with a new rhythm section and producer seems to have re-energized founders, vocalist Ian McCulloch and guitarist, Will Sergeant. So much so that the singer with characteristic gusto has described The Fountain as the band’s best since the 1984 classic. The new record is produced by Busted man John McLaughlin –- not the John McLaughlin of Mahavishnu Orchestra fame we hasten to add, despite what numerous web searches might tell you. This John McLaughlin is more associated with British boy bands and brings a pop production edge to the album which ensures much here is perfectly radio friendly.
The album opener, and single, “Think I Need It Too” is a terrific starter, immediately accessible with a gloriously catchy hook and just enough repetition to let it sink in on first play. It has big 80’s overtones as does much of the album but equally fits the current Indie-pop mold. Ian McCulloch’s distinctive, nasal vocal though puts a definite Echo and the Bunnymen stamp on everything here. McCulloch may not have the greatest range but his voice is instantly recognizable with a proper rock delivery and good sense of dynamics. Ace guitarist, Will Sergeant, also contributes much to the essential Bunnymen sound with his trademark soaring riffs and overdriven yet clean sound.
The album continues promisingly with the semi-anthemic “Forgotten Fields” which would fit into the repertoire of contemporary indie-rockers like Snow Patrol and slips on into “Do You Know Who I Am” with its more singalong schoolyard style. Next Sergeant’s punctuated guitar is heard to good effect on “Shroud of Turin” though lyrically the song doesn’t convince. “Life of a Thousand Crimes” starts abruptly but then rather just comes and goes. The title track provides a welcome and instant injection of interest as it features Coldplay’s Chris Martin sharing vocal duties and his woody tones work really well alongside McCulloch’s. This is a good song and you may even spot a few hallmark Coldplay chord changes in here.
“Everlasting Neverendless” is just a bit too formulaic Bunnymen, another song that drives along but is ultimately rather like being on a freeway and being unable to recall the last three minutes. “Proxy” opens with Mott the Hoople piano and drifts to nowhere in particular, definitely not all the way to Memphis. “Drivetime” is pacy with string sections vying for attention with guitar but peters out rather oddly with rather doleful solo piano. Thankfully “The Idolness of Gods” closes the record on a real high note, a strong piano-driven ballad with McCulloch showing a softer edge to his vocal and at times veering towards the marvelous Richard Hawley.
At just over 41 minutes and weighing in with ten songs, there is a sense of economy about The Fountain which is driven by a lack of indulgence throughout the record. Don’t expect long brooding openings, these Bunnymen hit the ground running every time. This is not a great record but it’s certainly not a bad one either and has quite enough genuine high spots to make it worthwhile to fans, old and new.
Rating: 
Check Out:
“Think I Need It Too”
Buy:
The Fountain
See:
On Tour Now!
purchased the fountain november 11th, this is deffinatly a classic!! tracks 1-7 and 10 are all very good and grow on you each time you play them. infact these guys are actually one of the best bands I’ve ever listen to. The louder the better. I saw them once in SanDiego Ca. back in the mid 80’s at the open air theater. Back then I was blown away and couldn’t get enough of them. I didn’t realize how many C.D.’s were out between the band and and Ian’s solo career, I’ve purchase about 13 of them and each one is worth the money. If you like the old stuff, any of it, you will be disapointed if you don’t buy this one. I had tickets for the Boston show and was pissed when it cancelled. Hopefully this C.D. will some air time. It would be nice to see Echo and the Bunnymen get noticed for the awsome band they really are. I look foward to april when they are suppose to tour again.
Well said Russell - fans can’t expect a revisit to the genius of Heaven Up Here, not after 25+ years. It’s still Ian and Will, and they’re still fookin’ cool as ‘ell, so I’ll still happily pony up.
Chris Martin sings the first verse on the title track and then McCulloch takes verse two. They then trade vocals and some harmonies but I admit both singers sound pretty similar here so it’s not always easy to tell who’s who.
I do not hear Chris Martin in the song “The Fountain” Where is his shared vocals this article speaks of??
I cannot hear chris martin in the song “fountain” it says chris shares vocal duties? I know they sound similar but It just sounds like one person Mcolloch? Please advise
Good review - I have never been a massive fan of the Bunnymen but the way you write this piece makes me at least want to starting listening to them more. You really draw in the reader with your writing style!
Interesting that they decided to collaborate with Chris Martin. I think I mentioned in one of my last posts that those two have very similar tones, and it’s even more punctuated now that McCulloch’s voice has gotten raspier.
Thanks for the review-it was helpful-I don’t expect career defining brilliance at this point. I just want good album worth my purchase. Sounds like it may be worth the purchase.